Welcome to Day 1!
Congratulations on taking the first step toward mastering your crutch journey! Today, we're focusing on the most critical aspect of using crutches: proper sizing and fitting.
Did you know that 70% of crutch users experience unnecessary pain because their crutches are improperly fitted? By the end of this lesson, you'll know exactly how to size your crutches for maximum comfort and safety.
Why Proper Sizing Matters
Incorrectly sized crutches can lead to:
- Nerve damage in your hands and armpits
- Shoulder and back pain from poor posture
- Increased fall risk from instability
- Slower recovery due to compensation patterns
- Skin irritation and bruising under arms
But when your crutches are properly fitted, you'll experience:
- ✅ Comfortable, pain-free mobility
- ✅ Better balance and stability
- ✅ Faster recovery times
- ✅ Confidence in your movements
- ✅ Prevention of secondary injuries
The 3-Point Fitting Method
Follow these three critical measurements to achieve perfect crutch fit:
1. Overall Crutch Length (Height Adjustment)
How to measure:
- Stand upright in the shoes you'll wear most often
- Let your arms hang naturally at your sides
- Position crutches 6 inches (15cm) to the side and 6 inches in front of your toes
- Adjust height so the crutch top is 1-2 inches (2-3 finger widths) below your armpit
⚠️ Critical Safety Warning
Never rest your weight on your armpits! This can damage the brachial plexus nerves, causing numbness, tingling, or even permanent nerve damage known as "crutch palsy." Your armpits should never touch the crutch tops during use.
2. Handgrip Position
How to adjust:
- With crutches positioned correctly (6" out, 6" forward), stand upright
- Let your arms hang naturally with elbows slightly bent
- Adjust handgrips so they align with your wrist crease when arms are at your sides
- When gripping, your elbow should bend at 15-30 degrees
💡 Pro Tip: The Elbow Test
To verify correct handgrip height: Stand with crutches in position, grip the handles, and have someone measure your elbow angle. It should be 15-30 degrees (about the angle of a slice of pizza). Too straight = too low. Too bent = too high.
3. Armpit Pad Clearance
Final verification:
- Stand in your normal crutch-walking position
- Have someone check the gap between armpit and crutch top
- Should fit 2-3 fingers vertically (about 1-2 inches)
- Gap should remain consistent as you shift weight
Height-Based Sizing Chart
Use this as a starting point, then fine-tune with the 3-point method above:
| Your Height |
Crutch Length (Floor to Armpit Pad) |
| 4'8" - 5'0" |
48" - 50" (Child/Small Adult) |
| 5'0" - 5'4" |
50" - 54" (Small Adult) |
| 5'4" - 5'8" |
54" - 58" (Medium Adult) |
| 5'8" - 6'0" |
58" - 62" (Tall Adult) |
| 6'0" - 6'4" |
62" - 66" (Extra Tall Adult) |
| 6'4"+ |
66"+ (Bariatric/Extra Tall) |
Common Fitting Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
❌ Mistake #1: Crutches Too Tall
Signs: Shoulders hunched up, difficulty straightening arms, armpit pain
Fix: Lower crutches by 1-2 inches. Shoulders should be relaxed and level.
❌ Mistake #2: Crutches Too Short
Signs: Back pain, bending forward, straight elbows when gripping
Fix: Raise crutches. Remember the 15-30 degree elbow bend rule.
❌ Mistake #3: Handgrips Too High or Low
Signs: Wrist pain, hand numbness, weak grip strength
Fix: Adjust handgrips to wrist crease level when arms hang naturally.
❌ Mistake #4: Leaning on Armpits
Signs: Armpit pain, numbness in hands, tingling in fingers
Fix: Support weight through hands/wrists, not armpits. Keep 2-finger gap.
✓ Day 1 Fitting Checklist
Complete these checks to ensure perfect fit:
- Crutch tops are 1-2 inches below armpits when standing
- Handgrips align with wrist crease when arms hang naturally
- Elbows bend 15-30 degrees when gripping handles
- 2-3 finger gap between armpit and crutch top when standing
- Crutches positioned 6" to side and 6" forward of toes
- All adjustment pins click securely into holes
- No wobbling or loose parts when weight-bearing
- Comfortable grip without hand strain
When to Re-Check Your Fit
Your crutch fit may need adjustment if:
- You experience new pain or discomfort
- You change footwear (heels vs. flats = different heights)
- You gain or lose significant weight
- Swelling in your injured limb changes significantly
- You transition from full non-weight bearing to partial weight bearing
- After 1-2 weeks (recheck as you become more proficient)
💡 Pro Tip: The Weekly Check-In
Every Sunday, spend 5 minutes re-verifying your crutch fit using the 3-point method. As your body adapts and you become more skilled, minor adjustments can make a big difference in comfort.
Your Day 1 Action Steps
- Measure and adjust your crutches using the 3-point method above
- Complete the fitting checklist to verify proper setup
- Test walk 20 feet and check for comfort (we'll cover gait tomorrow)
- Take a photo of your adjusted crutches to reference later
- Schedule a weekly check-in to re-verify fit
What's Coming Tomorrow
Now that your crutches are perfectly fitted, you're ready for Day 2: Choosing the Right Gait Pattern. We'll cover:
- The 3 main crutch walking patterns (and when to use each)
- How to coordinate your movements safely
- Common gait mistakes that cause falls
- Tips for smooth, efficient movement
See you tomorrow for Day 2! 🎯